Am J Psychiatry 1988; 145:331-334
Copyright © 1988 by American Psychiatric Association
Dysfunctions in public psychiatric bureaucracies
LR Marcos
Mental Hygiene Services, New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, NY 10013.
The author describes common dysfunctions in public psychiatric
organizations according to the model of bureaucracy articulated by Max
Weber. Dysfunctions are divided into the categories of goal displacement,
outside interference, unclear authority structure and hierarchy, and
informal relations in the work place. The author emphasizes the
bureaucratic nature of public psychiatry and the need for mental health
professionals to understand the dysfunctions of the organizations in which
they work, including the impact of these dysfunctions on the provision of
quality care.
